Mag-log inAria's POVLara was just a kid.She must be terrified out of her mind right now.I leaned my head against the cold cab window, bitter tears spilling uncontrollably down my cheeks.Guilt ate away at my insides like acid.Lara was innocent in all of this. Even if I was desperate to cut ties with Julian, I should never have let my little girl feel neglected, and now... now she was in life danger because of it."Please drive faster," I begged the cab driver, my voice trembling. "It's an emergency!"Twenty minutes later, the cab pulled up to the outer edge of Ocean Park.To my surprise, it was completely abandoned, overgrown with wild weeds and rotting wooden structures.Though it sat right along the desolate coastline, the area was virtually deserted.It was the absolute perfect location for a crime scene.My heart hammered against my ribs, so hard it felt like it might burst."Don't panic, Aria. Just fi
The Third Person's POVClara stood near the edge of the art studio, her hand frozen over the strap of her leather purse, torn by a chaotic whirl of mixed emotions.She never liked Aria—not from the moment the weak Omega became Julian's mate, and certainly not enough to consider her the true Luna of the Iron Claw Pack.Yet, she had never known the deep-seated history between Kierra and Aria.Unlike Julian, who was completely blinded by his obsession, Clara wasn't stupid.She could easily tell Kierra was hiding a dark side beneath her delicate facade, and that her hostility toward Aria had existed long before Aria ever stepped into Julian's life.Clara just couldn't wrap her head around why Kierra harbored such intense hatred for someone who used to be her closest friend.And then there was Aria's pathetic, embarrassing declaration of devotion to Julian.Clara thought it was pure stupidity.Yet, despite herself, a ti
The Third Person's POVThe triumphant smirk froze solid on Kierra's face. Panic flared in her eyes as the faint, familiar scent of burnt pine drifted from the doorway.She stared at Julian, wondering how long he had been standing there.Her gaze snapped to Aria, horror melting into sharp realization.Aria had set her up!Kierra's wolf whimpered inside her, tucking its tail between its legs at the sudden exposure. But within a fraction of a second, Kierra swallowed her panic. Her eyes welled with big, fat tears, her expression shifting instantly.Brenda couldn't suppress a gleeful sneer."Alpha Julian, isn't it obvious? She's been bullying your mate this whole time! She's trying to come between the two of you like poison. Just look at how she talks to Aria behind your back!"Julian's face darkened into a thundercloud, his jaw clenching tightly. His Alpha pheromones spiked with intense irritation, rolling over the room in suffoca
Aria's POVJulian's explanation was so absurd I almost laughed out loud. I rested my chin in my hand and met his gaze, my voice dripping with cold sarcasm."Alpha Julian, is that honestly what you think?"Julian shifted his weight, looking distinctly uncomfortable. The sour, sharp tang of his defensive pheromones spiked in the air, betraying his tight composure."At the end of the day, I'm still your Alpha, and you're still mine!" He insisted, his chin held high. "I can't just stand by and watch you parade around with another man! It's a slap in the face to my authority. Was I really wrong to call you out on it?"If Julian had said something like this to me years ago, I might have been foolish enough to feel touched. I might have mistaken his bruised ego for genuine care.But not anymore.I picked up my paintbrush and turned back to the canvas."Wow, should I be deeply moved by your sudden sense of duty, My Alpha? But when the lights cut out at the restaurant yesterday and everything
The Third Person's POVJulian stood stock-still, his jaw clamped tight as the heavy, suffocating scent of burnt ash and singed fur rolled off him in bitter waves."Grandpa, I failed you this time," Julian gritted out, lowering his head. He squeezed his fists until his knuckles turned ghostly white, every muscle in his shoulders locked in stubborn defiance. "The money we lost... I'll make it back. Every last cent."Edgar's eyes flashed a fierce, amber warning, his wolf pacing just beneath his weathered skin. The room rattled with the sheer force of his Alpha command."Very well," Edgar growled, his voice thick with absolute disdain. "Then show me. Now get out of my sight!"Across town, Brenda stormed into her family's foyer, her pulse still racing from the humiliating day.SLAP!The force of the hit whipped her head to the side, burning heat spreading across her cheek. Brenda stumbled back, clutching her face as she stared at her father in total shock."Dad!" she gasped, her voice crac
Third Person's POV“I have money! I can pay you whatever you want—just name your price!” Nataly sobbed hysterically, her tear-streaked face looking up at Aria in pure desperation.Aria sat against the wall, utterly bewildered.In all her life, she had never witnessed a scene quite like this.Her head pounded with a fierce, dull ache, every throb making her vision blur slightly."Nataly," Aria rasped out, rubbing her temples as she tried to calm the weeping woman down. "Could you... Please stop crying for a second?"Nataly cracked open one watery eye, sniffing loudly."So? Does that mean you agree?!"Aria shook her head.But the moment she saw Nataly's face twist up to burst into another round of dramatic wailing, she rushed to clarify, "We're just friends! Ramon and I are strictly friends.""Really?!" Nataly stopped crying instantaneously, her tears vanishing like a trick of the light."Ye
Aria's POVIt was the third anniversary of my Mate Bond with Julian.I stood in his estate, rejected by my own twin pups for my "reeking Omega scent."And that lavish gala wasn't for me.It was for another woman....Three hours earlier, I was heading home early, battling a severe case of the flu.
Aria's POVWhen dawn broke, I opened my heavy eyes.I felt a sharp pain all over my body."Aria, you have a severe spiritual virus infection.""You came in time, or your wolf would be in danger. We tried to call your mate, but...""I see. Thank you," I forced a weak smile.I pulled my phone.More t
Julian's POVAt the Altar, chaos erupted.A pickpocket crashed into the security line.Kierra let out a gasp, falling into my arms.My phone fell and was instantly crushed by the crowd."Julian, I'm so sorry about your phone..." Kierra bit her lip."It's fine. I'll get another one," I said flatly.
Aria's POVI watched my pups, Lara and Isaac, as they knelt before the statue of the Moon Goddess. Lara's voice drove steel needles into my ears."I hope Kierra becomes Daddy's real Luna," Lara whispered. "I hope they stay in love forever!"Kierra stood beside them, letting out a soft laugh.Her sl







